But for his mercies oh lord … Sir (Amb.) Etim Jack Okpoyo at 75

The Methodist Church Nigeria, Immanuel Cathedral, Oron Road, Uyo being the Archdiocesan headquarters of The Archdiocese of Uyo is one of the Methodist Churches in Nigeria that has produced dignitaries who meritoriously served our nation Nigeria and humanity at large. The history will not be complete if in any analysis the name of Sir.  (Amb.) Etim Jack Okpoyo is not mentioned considering his prowess and gallantry in services to God and humanity.

The ministers and the laity of this great Arch-Diocese are privileged to play host to the mammoth crowd who joyfully share in the blessings of a man with an unrepentant Christian magnanimity, a man whose contagious smiles are charming and prone to infection, with an air of nobility and confidence, the Immanuel Cathedral of The Methodist Church Nigeria Arch-Diocese of Uyo wishes to reflect on the elegant personality of this great man who recently clocked seventy five (75) years.

Sir (Amb.) Etim Jack Okpoyo, is honoured by the church as a Knight of John Wesley (KJW), quite a long time under the then Arch-Diocese of Calabar. A former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom state, former Nigerian Ambassador to Italy and Albania from 2000-2003 who worked with Louis Berger Engineering Company as a survey party Chief. He also worked with Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited Port Harcourt where he was elevated to the position of Head of Civil Works and resigned in 1991 to set up his own company.

Born in September 23, in the year 1943, Sir (Amb.) Etim Jack Okpoyo, the seventh child of his late parents [Chief Jack and Mrs. Akon Okpoyo of blessed memory] started Eyubia Central School in 1950 and was transferred to District Council School Oruko where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate [FSLC]. In 1959 he proceeded to Lutheran High School Obot Idim, now in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area to obtain his West African School Certificate [WASC] in Division Two in 1963 all in Akwa Ibom state.

He had a Diploma in Civil Engineering from the Yaba College of Technology in 1964, got his first degree in Civil Engineering from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone in 1973, He is a Rotarian who believes strongly in community service, he was a former President of Oron Development Union Port Harcourt branch for two years, former President General of Oruko Development Association for five consecutive years and also a former Board of Trustees member of Oron Local Government Industrial and Development Fund.

The Methodist Church Nigeria joined the entire state and nation in his celebration of 75th birthday and categorically state that Sir (Amb.) Etim Jack Okpoyo is worthy to be celebrated in our time. He is blessed with a wife and four prominent children, two daughters and two sons. Worthy is the lamb!

His Grace The Most Revd. Chimezuo O. N. Nwankpa, Archbishop of Uyo Archdiocese, Methodist Church Nigeria.